In terms of making an impression on the big stage, this was the kind of spectacular emergence into the spotlight that used to be the glamorous reserve of Liberace.

Two tries and a man of the match award on his first start for Scotland in a record-busting win over the Australians? Byron McGuigan had every reason to boast a smile that was wider than the Forth last night.

The 28-year-old, one of 10 previously uncapped players brought into the Scotland squad by Gregor Townsend for the Autumn Tests, was thrust into the Murrayfield frontline just minutes before the kick-off when Stuart Hogg succumbed to a niggling hip injury.

Instead of being unnerved by the big occasion, McGuigan rose to it. “It's been amazing,” he said with understandable jubilation. “Obviously I was meant to start on the bench so to get told I was starting was quite exciting. I wasn't really nervous though and to come away with the man of the match was an awesome feeling.

“The longer you play in rugby the more you realise you just need to enjoy it. To play in front of a sold-out Murrayfield, you have to enjoy the crowd and feed off the energy.

“It was about 25 minutes before kick-off maybe when I found out I was starting, so it was pretty late in the warm-up.

“But during the week we had prepped just in case because Hoggy had felt a couple of niggles. If he went down, this is how we would fall into shape. We were ready. It might have actually helped me that I found out so late. Maybe if I had known I was starting last night I might have thought about it a bit more.

“Instead, I was quite relaxed and the news was just sprung on me, so I was pretty calm. I was lucky to get myself involved early on. I had a good carry and from there the confidence just grew.”

McGuigan, who earned a debut for Scotland as a substitute in the narrow defeat to New Zealand last weekend, made his mark early on against the Aussies. A bounding run saw him kick the ball towards the try line three times. “One of them hit my knee,” he said with a wry smile. His careering, chaotic sprint may not have won any footballer of the year prizes but McGuigan did enough to get the job done and score Scotland’s opening try of a day in which they would eventually run in eight in total.

McGuigan played under Townsend at Glasgow Warriors but was very much a peripheral figure and was eventually released. Re-united with his former coach in the Scotland set-up, McGuigan certainly does not harbour any grudges towards Townsend and is simply delighted to be part of a galvanised national side that is growing in confidence.

“It’s not easy being a coach and when I was at Glasgow with Gregor, I was young, I wanted to be playing every week but it didn’t happen,” reflected McGuigan. “Gregor is a great coach and I learned a lot at Glasgow. His results speak for themselves. He’s won the PRO12 and he’s doing well with Scotland. It’s great to be working underneath him again.

“There’s definitely something special brewing here. Over the years, Scotland have just been getting better and the last few years since the World Cup has showed that. It’s great to be involved in this set up. From the management down to the players, everyone is working very hard.

“It’s such a great environment to be in and it makes you more hungry to be involved and work hard. There are quality players here and that makes you increase the level that you train at. They are such a great bunch and they have made everything much easier.”

Namibian born, but with a Scottish mother, McGuigan is a proud Scot and the drive to earn that cap for his country has never diminished. Now he is reaping the rewards.

“I was always hopeful, I worked hard and waited for the opportunity,” said McGuigan, who now plays his trade with Sale Sharks after a stint with Exeter Chiefs. “My mum is Scottish. Growing up, I’ve always watched Scotland play and that’s always been the dream to play for them. It’s been a focus at whatever club I’ve played for.”

McGuigan’s efforts earned praise and plaudits from Townsend and team captain, John Barclay.

“Byron was outstanding,” said Townsend. “When you have to say to them five or 10 minutes before kick-off that there’s a change you know there’s going to be a slight effect and players are going to be asking questions, ‘What does that mean for certain moves?’ but they kept their focus. It shows their resilience and also shows the depth we have in certain positions”

Barclay added: “Byron came on from the bench and that’s quite intimidating. You’re quite relaxed when you’re on the bench and then suddenly you’re starting against the third best team in the world and he’s man of the match."

It was quite a day.